Retired IDF Officer Admits to Forging 'Galant Document'

Former IDF officer Boaz Harpaz has admitted to forging the “Galant document,” in a lone effort to help COS Ashkenazi.

By Maayana Miskin

First Publish: 8/27/2010, 9:07 AM / Last Update: 8/27/2010, 10:15 AM

IDF website

Former IDF officer Boaz Harpaz has admitted to forging the “Galant document,” a paper that appeared to show that candidate for Chief of Staff Yoav Galant had an underhanded strategy to win the position. Harpaz told investigators that he had worked alone.

The reserves Lieutenant-Colonel was apparently motivated by a desire to defend current Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. Defense Minister Ehud Barak had announced his intention to name Ashkenazi's successor earlier than usual, a step which Harpaz felt was “manipulation” intended to harm Ashkenazi.

By creating a stir with the fake document, Harpaz intended to postpone the appointment of a new chief of staff.

His plan was unsuccessful. Barak announced Sunday that Major-General Galant will be the next Chief of Staff, without waiting for the police investigation to conclude.

Harpaz initially told police that he was not involved in forging the document, but merely passed it forward. The investigation continues, and police will now attempt to determine whether or not Harpaz had help.